In New Jersey, for instance, polling places couldn't meet a 2008 deadline to add a paper trail to their voting machines, so the deadline was extended until 2009--after the election.

FORBES: Security

But the about five million recipients who have yet to make the switch won't see their checks cut off if they don't meet the deadline, says Walt Henderson, a spokesman for the Treasury Department.

WSJ: Government Pushes Paperless Payments for Social Security

Those that don't meet the Feb. 17 deadline must get approval from the Federal Communications Commission to switch on a later date.

FORBES: In The Air